Stefen Wisniewski

Stefen Wisniewski
refer to caption
Wisniewski with the Oakland Raiders in 2014
No. 61 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Guard / Center
Personal information
Born: (1989-03-22) March 22, 1989
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school: Central Catholic
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
College: Penn State
NFL Draft: 2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 48
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2018
Games played: 113
Games started: 98
Player stats at NFL.com

Stefen David Wisniewski (born March 22, 1989) is an American football guard and center for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Penn State. He has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Personal life

Wisniewski comes from an athletic family; his father Leo Wisniewski played four seasons for the Colts as a nose tackle, while his uncle Steve Wisniewski was an eight-time Pro Bowl guard with the Raiders and served as the team's assistant offensive line coach in 2011. He played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College career

Wisniewski became the first Penn State Football student-athlete to be named an ESPN Academic All-American three times, having been a first team selection in 2008, 2009, and 2010.[1] He became Penn State's 95th first team All-American at the conclusion of the 2010 season.[2] Prior to the 2011 NFL Draft, Wisniewski was regarded as one of the top centers prospects available.[3]

Professional career

Oakland Raiders

Wisniewski was taken with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, and signed with the Raiders shortly before the beginning of the 2011 training camp. Stating that he wished to create his own legacy, he declined to wear his uncle's old uniform #76 (which was available), opting for his college #61 instead.[4]

At the beginning of the 2011 season, coach Hue Jackson named Wisniewski the Raiders' starting left guard, placed between Samson Satele at center and Jared Veldheer at left tackle. On opening day of the 2011 NFL season, the offensive line cleared the way for 190 rushing yards and a victory over the Denver Broncos.

Wisniewski was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 3 of the 2011 NFL season, after the Oakland offensive line cleared the way for 234 rushing yards and allowing only one sack against the New York Jets. His lead block on a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown run gave Oakland a two-score lead.[5] On January 2012, Wisniewski was named to the Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie team for his outstanding rookie season as starting left guard. Wisniewski helped pave the way for the NFL's 7th ranked rushing attack and anchored an offensive line that only allowed 25 sacks, tied for 3rd best in the NFL. With the departure of Samson Satele to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2012 offseason, Wisniewski became the Raiders' starting center.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Wisniewski signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 18, 2015.[6] He started all 16 games at center for the Jaguars in 2015.

Philadelphia Eagles

On April 4, 2016, Wisniewski signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[7] On March 10, 2017, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Eagles.[8] Wisniewski played in 14 games and started 11 in the 2017 NFL season. The team went 13-3 and earned a first round bye. The Eagles defeated both the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings to reach Super Bowl LII. The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 to win their first Super Bowl.

References

  1. ↑ "Penn State Again Leads Nation With Three First Team ESPN Academic All-Americans". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2010-11-23.
  2. ↑ "Wisniewski Selected AFCA All-American". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2010-11-29.
  3. ↑ "NFL Draft – 2011 C Draft Prospects". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Oakland Raider Draft Picks Get Their New Jersey Numbers". Silver and Black Pride. 2011-05-09.
  5. ↑ "Wisniewski Voted Rookie of the Week". Oakland Raiders. 2011-09-30.
  6. ↑ Sessler, Marc (April 18, 2015). "Jaguars, Stefen Wisniewski strike one-year deal". NFL.com.
  7. ↑ Eagles Sign G/C Wisniewski, G Tobin
  8. ↑ Smith, Alex (March 10, 2017). "Wisniewski Returns On Three-Year Deal". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
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